ANINI –Two men from Wisconsin were rescued from extremely rough surf off Anini Beach Park Wednesday. No injuries were reported.
First responders were notified about 11:50 a.m. of two swimmers in distress and being swept out into large surf at Anini.
Lifeguards on personal watercraft, Hanalei firefighters, and Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 responded.
The Kauai Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau’s Eastside roving unit personal watercraft crew was e near when the call came in, were first on scene, quickly launched their watercraft from Anini and were in the water by noon.
Engine 1 and Truck 1 (Princeville) arrived on scene shortly after and helped guide the lifeguards toward the swimmers’ location.
Rescuers found the men hanging on to one body board in the water and assisted them safely back to shore. The men, ages 33 and 54, declined treatment.
The OSB began roving unit patrols on Dec. 1, 2016. The units are mobile lifeguard towers and consist of two or three lifeguards, a 4 x 4 truck, personal watercraft and trailer.
The mobile units patrol beaches on the north, east and southwest shores daily to assist with ocean rescues and prevention efforts at beaches without lifeguard stations.
“On this particular high-surf-warning day, we stationed our east roving unit to the North Shore for added coverage due to the dangerous ocean conditions,” said OSB Supervisor Kalani Vierra.
Ocean safety officials reported waves of up to 10 feet Friday along the North Shore, with very strong rip currents. Officials advised no swimming or snorkeling at all north-facing shores, including Anini.
